National Republican., 1887-03-23
Wen Take the Cars Job.

The car Of Russia is probably the most
miserable of living potentates. Some OF his
professionalism the Terrible, to wit
may, from the warm corner in which they
hold council with Dives, feel ready to ex-
change an eternal grizzle for even the tor
lures OF warfare with nihilism. But ex-
cept those who are undergoing probation In
hades there are not many who would vol.
unfairly exchange places with the ruler OF
all the Russias. And even Of those gentle
men we are inclined to think that only the
first Of the zars-CGsarh himself-or the first
Napoleon, If recalled to life in full posses
sion Of their highest faculties, could
deal effectually with the present position
in eastern Europe. just imagine what
Julius Caesar would do IL that bald pate,
with the solitary curl on the forehead, were
, suddenly to rise from the tomb and find
itself transported to St. Petersburg, to be
covered with the imperial crown. Give the
friend Of Brutus and Marc Antony auto
cratic power, q hundred millions OF people
at bis back, and an army Of four millions
ready to march at a weeks notice, what
would 'the foremost man OF all the world"
do with nlhilism ? The only available
answer Is "We should smile !" The stern
old Roman would not waste much time 10
fretting his heart out against prison walls
of his own creation, in taking pot.shots at
solitary desdocamp, or in macadamlz-
ing his country roads to Siberia with
the weary foot falls of the most intelligent
people in his empire. He would bring the
best brains of his people into national
council chamber; he would take full aud
clear inventory of the evils which op.
pressed the country, not blinking single
fact, and submitting princes and peasants
to the same test under the penetrating
glance OF his own quiet eye. Having dis
covered the grievances which produce
nihilism, lie would apply remedies suitable
TO the occasion and the demands of the age.
Dynamite could not deter nor could Bis
marck permanently divert his general plan
ofoperations. The sultan would promptly
crook the hinges OF his knees aud the rest
of Europe would find it convenient to at
tend to It's own business.
The first Napoleon did not possess the
high governing or administrative power of
Cesar, but, IL called upon to take charge OF
Russia, to put an Asiatic race upon the
highroad Of European development, We
may be assured that however dllioult the
undertaking, means would be devised 10
change the form of Russian government
| from what 1t always has been hitherto-au
autocracy tempered by assassination.
Even Skobeleif, with his strong panselA-
vstic views on "Russla for the Russians" ("
and his personal lntrepidty, could have
done something to raise his country out OF
the mud and above the domination OF the
Cossack element, But generations OF the
aGcumulating results which follow upon
chartered despotIsm seem to have utterly
emaseulRted the Romanoffs, until the pres
ent representative Of Peter, and Catherine,
and Ivan has become nervcless taineaai,
shrinking at his own shadow, bereit ap-
parently Of all confidence ia the divinity
(which doth hedge king" and OF that
common sense Of duty which should stImu'
late man.
1t is true that the condition OF Russia Is
peTilous, but what has made II sol The
answer comes, "Nihilism !" We ask again,
What constitutes the strength of nihllsm ?
Snd answer with the statement OF JeliaboiY,